Feeling the pinch from the down turn in the economy? Why not try a Campervan holiday!
So why exactly are thousands of people choosing a Motorhome or Campervan holiday? The main lure is cost, a family holiday to Spain could cost approximately £900 whereas in a Camper it could be a fraction of the cost. However it’s not just the price that keeps these holiday makers coming back year after year.

Staying in a Camper means you can take your home comforts with you. Depending on what you want from your holiday you can take anything with you that will make you feel more at home, with the added security and warmth that you just don’t get from being in a tent.

There is less stress involved; your biggest problem is deciding where to go next. Should it be the Cornish coast, the Yorkshire Dales, or perhaps abroad for something a little more exotic? It is up to you to decide. No delayed flights or airport hassle, no expensive car hire costs, just let your sense of adventure guide you, with no ties, just your own whims.

Being in a Campervan means you can stay overnight where the majority people wouldn’t consider and for free! Perhaps you have found a beautiful isolated beach on the Suffolk coast, that you like so much you want to stay the night in the Beach Car park. Well you can, it is perfectly legal to use the beach car park as long as you keep all your belongings inside the van, camping in a tent here is usually prohibited. This type of camping is sometimes referred to as Free or Wild Camping, the simple motto to remember is ‘leave it as you found it’. So now you get to wake up to those beautiful views. However please be aware this excludes private property car parks, such as hotels and offices.

Thinking of going abroad? You can now drive in the EU on your UK licence without all the paperwork of the past. Going on the continent gives you the opportunity to explore multiple countries in one trip. Just make sure you have the appropriate insurance cover that allows you to go away to Europe for up to 90 days in one trip. Sureterm Direct specialises in arranging this type of insurance cover, with the option of breakdown recovery for those unforeseen mishaps. Now all you need to worry about is whether your passport is valid.

So whether you own a Splitty, Bay, Westy or a Bus, get those bags packed and rediscover a sense of freedom and new horizons.

Sureterm Direct can arrange insurance for your Campervan insurance or Motorhome insurance policy. Call Sureterm Direct free on 0800 999 2030 or click here for an online Campervan insurance quote.

So you’ve completed your cherished project and built a Kit Car, now you want to really start enjoying it. But where do you start in getting your Kit Car registered? This can often seem a bewildering prospect to novices and experts alike.

To make your Kit Car legal to drive on the UK roads you must simply abide by the rules and regulations set out by the DVLA, the usual procedures of MOT, Road Tax and Insurance are also compulsory.

Your Vehicle must pass the IVA (Individual Vehicle Approval) test which replaced the SVA, (Single Vehicle Approval) to determine its road safety. All government recognised tests are performed by VOSA examiners (for more information visit www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/) at registered garages. You are required by law to have a minimum of third Party liability insurance in order to be able to drive your Kit Car to the test centre. Specialist insurance services such as Sureterm will be able to offer this level of cover to you. It is not required at this stage to have an MOT, as this is not a necessity for vehicle registration.

Once your Kit Car has passed the IVA test you will receive an Individual Approval Certificate which allows you to get your Vehicle registered by the DVLA. This means you will obtain your new V5, and plates (generally Q-plates). You can now apply for road tax, and you are almost there in getting out on the roads and enjoying your hard work!

I am sure you are now thinking, what if my vehicle does not pass, what do I do then? As long as your vehicle isn’t issued with a Prohibition Notice you can drive your car home to make the necessary alterations to make it road worthy, and then have it re-tested. If you are issued with a Prohibition Notice this means your Kit Car is not road safe, and you are not able to drive it home, or use it at all until the notice is lifted.

Your vehicle is not required to have an MOT immediately after it has been registered, however the length of time before you will need one varies on the registration status, and it could be anything from 1-3 years.

Most of the above information also applies for some Custom Car conversions as these may be considered a radically altered vehicle by the DVLA.

Unfortunately these rules are constantly changing so make sure you always check the DVLA website for up to date information and the necessary forms.

Sureterm Direct can arrange insurance for your Kit Car . Call Sureterm Direct free on 0800 999 2030 or click here for an online Kit Car insurance quote.

£15.00 OFF your next Camper Van or Classic VW insurance policy will be deducted from the total annual premium of your insurance policy.
This offer is valid until 1st October 2012. This offer applies to new customers who take up cover in the first year only and is only available to subscribers of Volksworld or VW Camper & Bus E-Newsletter.

PRESS INFORMATION

12th December 2011

With Christmas a mere two weeks away and the possibility of a cold snap catching us unawares, Sureterm Direct provides key advice to 4X4 owners to ensure they don’t get caught out in the cold.

Gary Long, account manager from Sureterm, said: “According to figures from The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders it seems the sale of 4X4s has experienced a reasonable increase in recent years with figures in 2010 of 156,552 compared with 132,472 in 2009. This may reflect the harsh winters we have experienced in the UK and suggest that motorists are preparing for the worst. But it is important that 4X4 drivers don’t become complacent during the cold, dark months and we hope our advice will be of some assistance to those drivers out on the road this winter.”

o Your 4X4 vehicle may allow you to grip the road and navigate steep icy roads, but you could still experience difficulties when braking. Ensure you drive slowly and carefully, leaving plenty of space between you and the car in front
o Preparation is key. If you’re considering using winter tyres* to increase your vehicle’s reliability, ensure you have fitted them to your 4X4 before the bad weather sets in. You don’t want to be changing them knee deep in snow
o When the weather worsens, news and weather reports will often advise drivers to only travel if necessary. Listen to these forecasts and take their advice
o The weight of a 4X4 can be beneficial when navigating slippery or snow covered terrain however, this can also be its downfall. If you lose control, it can be difficult to regain. Keep a steady pace and steer the vehicle slowly and carefully
o Many 4X4 drivers don’t use their four wheel drive in order to improve fuel economy. In wintry conditions and if in doubt, use it
o Don’t be a hero. If you see other cars stranded on ice or in snow, don’t attempt to tow them out if there’s the possibility you could be putting yourself and others in danger
o Remember that you aren’t invincible. Drive cautiously as black ice and snow drifts can catch out the most experienced driver in the sturdiest of vehicles

* Check your car insurance policy for details regarding changing your vehicle’s specification.

Sureterm Direct can arrange insurance for your 4×4 insurance or Land Rover insurance policy. Call Sureterm Direct free on 0800 999 2030 or click here for an online 4×4 insurance quote.

PRESS INFORMATION

15th July 2011

VISIT SURETERM DIRECT AT LRO BILLING TO WIN A DAY’S OFF-ROADING WORTH AROUND £600

From 15 – 17 July 2011, Sureterm Direct will be on stand M1 at the 21st LRO Billing event, offering one lucky person the opportunity to spend a day off-roading at Rockingham Castle. The lucky winner of this special prize worth £595, will learn the skills necessary to tackle some of the most challenging off road terrain and be introduced to the exciting world of off road driving.

Ross Barrington, operations director, Sureterm Direct, said: “The LRO Billing show provides us with an ideal opportunity to meet many 4×4 owners and enthusiasts. We are encouraging visitors to drop by our stand to take part in our free prize draw and meet our experienced and helpful team”.

LRO Billing is located at Billing Aquadrome in Northampton and is an opportunity for Land Rover enthusiasts to see the latest developments in the market, meet up with old friends and enjoy the company of other Land Rover owners. Boasting a wide variety of trade stands, club stands, an autojumble, arena action, off-road course and camping, the three-day show runs from Friday to Sunday, giving visitors plenty of time to relax and enjoy themselves.

Sureterm Direct can arrange insurance for your 4×4 insurance or Land Rover insurance policy. Call Sureterm Direct free on 0800 999 2030 or click here for an online 4×4 insurance quote.

PRESS INFORMATION

16th March 2011

From Spring 2011 all motor vehicles in the UK that don’t have a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN) will require valid road insurance. The change in this requirement aims to reduce the number of uninsured vehicles on the roads by linking the records of the DVLA and Motor Insurance Database (MID).

Lisa Joy, director at Sureterm Direct, comments: “It is important that anyone who owns a motor vehicle which is kept off the road understands these new changes. If you intend to use your motor vehicle in the near future you should arrange adequate insurance cover.”

According to the UK government, uninsured drivers inflict a major financial burden on other motorists, estimated at £380 million each year or around £30 of the cost of each insurance premium*. If you have not taken out road insurance cover for your motor vehicle or declared it SORN you will receive a letter warning that you could be fined as part of the ‘Continuous Insurance Entitlement Scheme’.

SAMPLE INSURANCE QUOTE
1971 Land Rover 88, value £2,000
• 40-year old club member, garaged at PE28, 1,500 miles per year, full UK licence, no claims/convictions.
Prices from £85.79 (£100 excess).
• 40-year old non club member, on drive at PE28, 3,000 miles per year, full UK licence, no claims/convictions.
Prices from £95.89 (£100 excess).

* Subject to underwriting criteria.

Sureterm Direct can arrange insurance for your 4×4 insurance or Land Rover insurance policy. Call Sureterm Direct free on 0800 999 2030 or click here for an online 4×4 insurance quote.

“Caravan and motorhome people tend to be good practical DIY’ers”, according to Solaratlas.com, so the task of fitting a solar panel should be an easy one. The idea of a solar powered motorhome is to cut out the middle man (the plug in power at camp sites), in order to become more economically friendly. The solar cells are designed to produce an electrical current when exposed to light, which can be used to keep your battery topped up while you’re on the open road.

The UK may be infamous for its tea making abilities but the weather definitely isn’t anything to brag about, which means a major drawback of this novel idea is that there may not be enough light to power some of the hefty motorhomes that have been entering the motorhome market recently. Short trips however will benefit more from solar panel power, and even when you make a pit stop, the panel will continue to charge itself so it’s ready for the next leg of your journey – and the good news is you can fit them yourself.

MotorCaravanning.co.uk have reported that “ a good battery bank is pretty much essential because we use power in bursts, more in bad weather and less in good weather. As a result you will need at least two leisure batteries to make the best of solar power by storing all that good weather energy for use when the weather deteriorates”.

If you’re an adventurous explorer you may want to discover some unknown territory in your motorhome instead of the general camp sites, which is why the best thing about having a solar panel charging your motorhome is that you have the freedom to go almost anywhere that takes your fancy, safe in the knowledge that you have a stable source of power for your mobile home.

Solar power systems will give you the power you need to go anywhere you desire, with an enduring design, which is built to withstand summer heat as well as the typical Great British cold weather conditions. Making the impossible seem achievable is a tricky task, and while money might not grow on trees, power produced by the sun is not only possible, but readily available.

Fitting a solar panel may be a ‘do it yourself’ task, but why not let Sureterm Direct help you find your motorhome insurance?, Call free on 0800 999 2030 or click here for an online quote.

The Caravan Club have reported that the latest addition to the Elddis range is the “best caravan available for under £12k”. The Elddis Xplore 302 was the winner of ‘The Caravan Club Caravan Design Awards 2010 for the under £12,000’ category – so it’s no surprise that the smallest UK-built caravan is one of the top choices on the market today.

The Xplore model, which was originally launched in 2008, made a name for itself as being the Caravan Industry’s “Tourer of the Year”, reports elddiscaravans.org, however this year has seen the updated Xplore that is “even better than before”. With an improved design and exciting new layout, the Elddis Xplore will charm you and help you stay within your budget.

It may be the smallest caravan built in the UK, but the Explore 302 is still “tardis-like”, according to elddis.co.uk, and spacious enough to contain a full kitchen and bathroom, so don’t let the size fool you.

The chosen destination for the launch of the new model was at the Birmingham NEC last month, which saw people coming from far and wide“seeking cheaper vehicles emerging from the recession”, reports CaravanClub.co.uk, and that is exactly what they got from the Elddis Xplore 302.

The good news about the latest Elddis edition is that you can store it on your driveway and it can easily be towed with a small car such as a Corsa or Punto. The Caravan Channel have announced that they will be at The UK Motorhome and Caravan Spring Fair at Newark on the 27th and 28th March, and their stand will feature the actual caravan as well as some video from the event on the Caravan Channel and the Caravanning News Website.

CaravanTalk.org.uk has reported that “the benefits of this smallest edition to the award-winning Elddis range are clear to see”, with an allure that will appeal to “couples and individuals new to caravanning or upgrading from camping and trailer tents”.

With “class-leading luxurious touches and Xplore’s funky, vibrant upholstery”, the Elddis Xplore 302 is totally unique and provides the perfect setting for outdoor enthusiasts who want a comfortable and well-equipped base, according to CaravanTalk.org.uk.

With an allure that appeals to drivers of all ages, Sureterm Direct offer competitive caravan insurance policies for both new caravanners and existing customers looking to renew their insurance. Call Free on 0800 999 2030 or get an online quote here.

With the focus on electric and hybrid cars, there really isn’t space for the big brand of sport utility vehicles that became synonymous with the term “gas guzzler”. Grist.org reports that “GM thought its plans to sell Hummer to a Chinese company had the green light, but instead got run off the road by the Chinese Government”.

NYTimes.com has reported that GM “had been trying to sell Hummer for nearly two years, and struck a preliminary deal with Tengzhong in June. The two companies had planned to complete the $150m deal by the end of January, then delayed the deadline by a month in the hope of receiving approval from China”. However the deal reportedly collapsed because of “problems convincing the Chinese Government that Hummer’s range could be made sufficiently friendly”.

Although the brand Hummer will slowly disappear, GM have said they will continue to honour existing Hummer warranties – and or course the 4×4 legacy will live on. PistonHeads.com reports that discussions between GM and Tengzhong had led John Smith, Vice President of GM to say “we are disappointed that the deal with Tengzhong could not be completed but GM will still work closely with Hummer employees, dealers and suppliers to wind down the business in an orderly and responsible manner” – meaning existing customers will still receive a high level of service and support.

Over the years the Hummer name has achieved a powerful status, with celebrities endorsing the brand by being chauffeured around in one of these hefty 4×4 vehicles. However more recently the Governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger (who once owned ma fleet of Hummers), described the brand as “prime evidence of the Detroit automakers’ failings”.

Danny Hill, the general sales manager of the Texas Classic Hummer branch commented on this end of an era saying that Hummer “had a great concept and it’s a real shame that it’s going away, because the people who own Hummers just love them”.

To ensure it’s not the end of the good times for your 4×4 insurance, call Sureterm Direct free on 0800 999 2030 or get a tailored 4×4 insurance quote online here.

JournalLive.co.uk have reported that “a network of hundreds of charging point for electric cars will be created” and all thanks to receiving millions of pounds of Government funding. As one of only nine cities and towns across the UK to pilot the new project, Milton Keynes is driving the ‘environmentally friendly’ scheme in the south, which is aimed at making it possible for people to use electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.

“Growing concerns about the environment and fuel security are inspiring a concerted push by Government and manufacturers to bring electric cars back into the mainstream”, reports The Open University. The push to be green has existed as far back as 1913, and at the time electric cars seemed like a serious contender, however the petrol and diesel powered rivals proved “cheaper and have ruled our roads almost unchallenged for nearly a century”.

Fuelled by the growing demands and increasing concerns about the environment, a “total of 1,300 plug sockets will be installed around the region over the next three years”, which means they will be easily accessible on streets, in car parks, at homes, businesses, shopping centres and even tourist attractions – which is no surprise seeing as the project is costing £7.8m.

The Independent first reported on the strategy which stretches back to the start of 2009, and reveals the plan is to build “the world’s first zero emission, electric 4×4 vehicle”. Liberty Electric Cars, based in Oxford, said “it would invest £30 million into the venture” to create a plug-in electric Range Rover, which is likely to top “1,000 vehicles annually and contribute more than £120 million a year into the local economy”.

Barry Shrier, Chief Executive of Liberty, said: “The Liberty Electric Range Rover takes electric vehicle technology into a new sector, to large luxury cars that people aspire to drive, particularly in cities and urban environments where environmental controls are becoming increasingly tighter”.

The Milton Keynes electric pilot scheme is just one of the major global project areas that will include extensive evaluations of consumer attitudes, which will enable the Energy Technologies Institute to determine the cost effective infrastructure and driver incentives, which InvestMiltonKeynes.com reveals will “help to develop a self sustaining mass market”.

If you want to be part of a scheme that works, let Sureterm Direct provide you with a tried and tested 4×4 insurance policy. Call free on 0800 999 2030 or click here for a tailored 4×4 quote.